At Large with Toby Manhire

The kingmaker myth, and the hill Qiulae Wong and Opportunity must climb

Toby Manhire speaks to Peter Dunne, former leader of United Future, about the role smaller parties play in MMP and the challenge awaiting The Opportunity Party as it hovers around the 5% threshold.

10 Sep 2026

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Opportunity is pitching itself as an alternative kingmaker to Winston Peters and New Zealand First for the 2026 election. But is the kingmaker scenario really that common across 10 MMP elections? Peter Dunne, who has seen the inside of many post-election negotiations, says not. He joins Toby to talk about the role smaller parties play in our elections, the challenge that awaits Opportunity as it hovers around the 5% threshold, and whether major parties at 30% is an aberration or the new normal.
At Large with Toby Manhire is produced by Te Aihe Butler and The Spinoff. Read more at ⁠thespinoff.co.nz⁠.